The Sheriff's Office says the couple had been since 2011 to care for an 8-year-old thoroughbred named Dixie Boy by the horse's owner, who lives in California. Back in April, Dixie Boy was found severely underweight, and confined in a fenced compound with insufficient food and water. The suspects told deputies the animal had seen a vet a week before, but investigators were able to prove otherwise. The horse was turned over to the Sheriff's Office at that time.

During the ensuing investigation, deputies found several more horses that were not being properly cared for on the property, again without sufficient food or water.

A total of 19 horses were seized, but one was so emaciated and dehydrated, it died on-scene while being cared for by a veterinarian. Caudy told deputies the horse was his, and it had been lying on the ground for at least a day.

Other animals were also removed from the home, including a dog, cats, snakes, iguanas and an African grey parrot. They were all taken to Polk County Animal Control.

Searching the suspects' home, deputies found a Hillsborough County Sheriff's badge. Caudy allegedly told deputies he stole the badge while visiting a friend, whose husband works at the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office.